Hello. I don't know if anyone reads this anymore, or if it's fallen off of blog-reading lists or whatnot. It appears I don't even have comments anymore, which makes me sad that such things are lost. Ah, well. C'est La Vie... or something like that. :)
So here I am, with Ten things that come to my head right now. Just text, nothing Fancy.
Ten things that I am enjoying right now.
One: The birds that are having a squwalky conversation outside my window.
Two: The quiet around me that allows me the opportunity to hear the birds.
Three: The pictures of a wonderful getaway and visit with a very dear friend.
Four: The hopeful expectancy of the volunteer plant outside yielding a pumpkin in a few months.
Five: Savoring the lack of a time restriction.
Six: The fact that I have all I need, even though I do still worry about it.
Seven: Enjoying being alone in this moment, while also looking forward to being with others.
Eight: Small accomplishments, which are better than no accomplishments at all.
Nine: Quiet. I know I said it before, but for some reason, it is resounding with me right now.
Ten: Knowing there is coffee in the pot, food in the fridge, and money in the bank.
Matt's school has an exchange program with a school in Germany (near Cologne). The American students went to visit them during the February break, and the German students are here in the US now. Among other things, such as going to classes and hanging out with students, they have been doing a lot of travel so that they could see as much as possible while they are here.
Yesterday was no exception. Matt was asked to chaperone the trip at the last minute and was luckily invited to have me come along as a "guest" chaperone as well. So we headed into the city for the day with 20 American students, 20 German students, 3 German teachers, the President (of the school) and his wife, and a partridge in a pear tree. ;)
Our first stop was Grant's Tomb. I hadn't been there in years! We weren't there long, but it was nice to see again. I wish we had been able to take the students to Riverside Church, which is right across the street. It is a beautiful place, and I've been in the belltower!! Unfortunately, people are no longer allowed in the Carillon. So sad.
Our next stop was to the USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. Again, I was there when I was very young, but it has been completely refurbished, even leaving New York Harbor in order to do so! We were there for only about an hour, but it has whetted our appetites to return, and so we will!
After that, we went into Times Square, where the kids were allowed to wander a little bit in order to see the sights and have a quick lunch before a matinee. Teachers all ended up eating at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on a very tight schedule. It was a fun experience-type of place, and the food was pretty good, too. We sat by the window and were able to see the goings on in times square, which is always entertaining!!
After lunch, we all met the students in front of the Majestic Theater... to catch a matinee of The Phantom Of The Opera. It's not a personal favorite, but still - I take theater experiences when I can get them. The story is a bit creepy in my book, but I suppose that it's a "classic Broadway experience" for German students.
Once the show was over, we headed down to Chinatown for some quick shopping, then walked over to Little Italy (which is right around the corner, for those of you not as familiar with NYC) to eat in a place called Puglia Restaurant on Hester Street. It was amazingly crowded with other large groups but we feasted and sang along with Jorge, the resident musician. He is such a lounge lizard with a dinky Casio Keyboard... but it's all in good fun! Matt, Jens (one of the German teachers) and the school's president all got up on chairs and danced!
This is not our group, but it's a hint of what he gets people to do with his "Napkin Song" (which you can get on iTunes if you're interested!!)
Once our meal was finished, we all headed back to the bus and home again. It was a very full day, and I was appreciative of the opportunity to tag along. It was fun to play tourist for the day!
It's by no means extensive, but here a small smattering of things that happened in 2008. There was much fun to be had, many people to see, many important things to do. Enjoy. :)
Here's to hoping that 2009 will be wonderful and full of even better memories, more fun and much much joy!
My resolution: To post more frequently. Remind me to do it if I am getting lazy, will you?
My Dad found this quarter on his way to the polls today. I love his little comment!! From his lips to God's ears, I say - even if it's a quarter at a time! :)
I went to the Farmer's market again today. (although I was not as green as last time, in which I rode my bike to the location. Mom was with me this time and we have only one bike.) While buying some yellow grape tomatoes, we were convinced to try something new:
These are called ground cherries(other names include: husk tomatoes, cape gooseberries, chinese lanterns, golden gooseberries, strawberry tomatoes, etc. as seen here.) They come in their own little wrappers and taste more like pineapple or something sweet than a traditional tomato.
I can't stop eating them. They are like little balls of happy! Mmmm. I wonder where I can get some more??
The organizational prowess of Rebecca Wood descended on my pathetic room and whipped it into shape before my very eyes! I had a lot of organizational issues and it had completely gotten the better of me, so my sweet friend gave this to me as a birthday present! She is able to work wonders, let me tell you! It was amazing to get to spend some time with her, too - I miss her a lot! We meant to take a "before" and "after" picture of the room, but it didn't happen. It looks wonderful, though - and so much more peaceful! :)
In the evening, we all met together for dinner - Becky, Peter, Catherine, Matt and myself. Fun times, even with a two-year-old who had a VERY long day! She is so curious, and was fascinated by the flashlight on my keyring, leading for a light show!
Hey. Still here. Just taking a graduate class every day for two weeks. It's good and I am enjoying it - Music and Storytelling in the morning and Theatre/Playwriting in the afternoon. Intense sessions and then journaling and fear of the end when all work gets sent away for grading.
I'm around. You can call me or email me and whatever. I am still (somewhat) social. But I'm busy.
There's been a lot to post about and I had wanted to start a project, but it isn't the right time for that... although the overachiever in me wants it all to somehow fit in.
So things like this will have to wait until there's time.
I am feeling very.... Meh. And I should really go to bed. This weekend will be a busy one, and HOT and HUMID too. I'm not a fan of that. Maybe sleep will improve my mood.
On Friday, May 16th, I'm heading to my second prom. I only went to one in high school (my senior prom) but not because I didn't want to... because I had no one to go with. I went to one other formal in HS... the Holiday Ball (again senior year), but that was it. We didn't do casual/semiformal dances. Then in college it was worse!! I wanted to go to the formals (each year at Christmastime, known as "Turner Hill" for the location or "The dance formally known as Turner Hill" when the venue changed) but again.... I was cursed with no date - which was the theme of college for me! How sad I sound!
But now I get to go with a really good date... my high-school (teaching) sweetheart! We'd talked about it before, but the other day when I came to visit him at school, Matt asked me to the prom. I shrugged and said, "Whatever" in true high-schooler form. :)
I'm really excited to go! It's going to be so much better than my prom, which was cursed with sadness, rain, drama... all on a Friday the 13th. I don't have to worry about all of the stupid stuff or what other girls are wearing or how my hair looks. I can go and have a good time observing the silliness of high schoolers in a tradition that spans the test of time.
He, he! I'm going to the prom, I'm going to the prom!
Next year I will bite the bullet and PAY someone to do my taxes. I hate it. Who needs this extra stress? It's really frustrating to get to the end of a software program and find that even if you want to print out the dumb thing and mail it in yourself it will cost you money.
And it doesn't help that I have to write both the IRS and the state checks this year. GRUMBLE! (I mean, for a good reason, as I made more money, but still. Grr.)
Sorry about the delay. The week has been so busy that there hasn't been time to post!
Court was an interesting experience. There were all sorts of cases that went before us... everything from small claims (fighting over a condo deposit), two DUI cases, someone in handcuffs (didn't see them, though) and lots of other interesting looking people. There was one other gentleman and myself who were there for speeding in the park. The officer was there and we met him out in the hallway once the proceedings had started. He offered a deal - a lesser charge (something about disobeying a speed device, I think?) and only 2 points instead of the 4 that it could have been. I went with plenty of cash so that I could pay the fine (there was no ATM and they don't accept credit or checks) and was fortunate to find the fine to be much much left than I thought it would be! I went before the judge and took the plea and asked for leniency. All in all, it was not so bad. I'm also taking a "safe driving" course in the spring (my own decision, not theirs) and that will remove the two points... which are thankfully too few to change my insurance anyway.
This time, the police officer was much much nicer, too... he actually had helped Matt the day before in the park when he blew a tire on the way to school and the two chatted about cars for a bit. How funny how people can appear so different during different occasions.
I'm just thankful that it went well and it's mostly over... just two evenings of class in May and the whole thing is done. Sigh.
And the funny thing is that a week or so later, my car had some warning lights go on and I had to bring it in... to have my front wheel SPEED SENSORS replaced. So this means that I might not have even known I was speeding as much as I was! Blast! :/
Tomorrow I have to appear in traffic court. I was lucky that they rescheduled my court date so that I wouldn't have to miss work, and for that I am thankful. But I am so intimidated by this process - I will go in and plead my case, stating that I am a safe driver with a clean record. I will admit to speeding... I'm not going to lie. But I will still ask for leniency and show them that I am signed up for a driver education/point reduction program in May. I hope that they take that into consideration.
It's a late night, too - court doesn't begin until 8pm, and it's at least 30/45 minutes away. I hope that there aren't a million other people there as well.
I'm sick AGAIN. I've been feeling a little run down, but then as the weekend wore on I felt worse and worse, and by last night I had a low-grade fever. Today brought hours and hours and hours of sleeping (more time than waking!) and a higher fever by dinnertime. This, of course, means no school tomorrow. Grumble.
I am tremendously worried about next week - I've been looking forward to my vacation for months... and what will happen now? Thank goodness we bought trip insurance. I just hope we don't have to use it.
I got a speeding ticket on Sunday. The police officer wasn't nice to me. Yes, I admit I was speeding... I didn't realize it at the time, but I was. But he also didn't have to take such a power-trip over it. So now I'll go to court and beg for leniency... pointing out my clean record and that I am willing to take a "Safe Driver" class to reduce points on my license. I hope they will be understanding.
I went to a big outlet place this weekend... yes, in the bitterest of cold! However, there were great bargains to be found.
Pants, fully lined, made really well. Original price $89.00 - then outlet price, then markdown to $39.95.
Cashmere sweater. Amazingly soft and very luxurious. Original price $139.00 (I think?) - then outlet price, then markdown to $39.95. (which on its own is an amazing, amazing steal.)
Then the MLK weekend promotion.... buy one item, get one 50% off.
I was in Borders over the weekend with a group of friends on our way to feast on amazing Indian food. While wandering away from the group, I found myself in front of the customer service desk when a young mom asked the associate, "Do you have Matilda?" She further indicated that it was a children's book.
The young man at the counter said he thought so, but he would check it out. He started to type in the title into the computer, but was unsure how to spell it, so he hesitated.
Before I realized, I said, "Matilda was written by Roald Dahl."
"Roald Dahl??" said the vague voice of the sales associate, deleting his typing from the screen.
"D-A-H-L. That's how you spell it."
The mom and I then chatted for a moment about how great the book is - her daughter loves it and has borrowed it twice from the library, but now wants her own copy. I love that. :)
I walked away and had to laugh to myself about the circumstances. I think it might be fun to own a children's book shop.
This has been an interesting year. There were lots of great things, lots of crazy things, lots of everything. Here are a few highlights for you to see. All in all, a very memorable year!
J A N U A R Y . . .
... found me with a 3-day stay at the hospital for pneumonia, my first hospital stay since I was born. I was actually very relieved to be there, since it meant I wasn't going crazy and really was sick!
F E B R U A R Y . . .
... led to a sad time. My grandfather passed away on Valentine's Day. He was a great man and a rock in our family. We all miss him.
M A R C H . . .
... put me into a new sense of wealth (?) when I finished making payments on my car. What a relief that was! (Pic is from later in the year, but since I don't take pictures of my car, here it is with sweet Catherine!)
A P R I L . . .
... was a busy month. I went to Massachusetts and saw several friends, helped celebrate Jenny's birthday at Great Adventure, and also went on an adventure in New York City during which I got to see Great Big Sea!
M A Y . . .
... found us back into the city for Beethoven's 9th (and Arron Copland's In the Beginning) with Matt's parents. Other highlights included Memorial Day down at the shore!
J U N E . . .
... is my birthday month! I had fun celebrating, but a highlight of the month was my nephew's graduation from high school! He is now enjoying college life and all it entails.
J U L Y . . .
... had lots of adventures. One of them was getting to see Blue Man Group! I also went on a movie-kick and saw six movies in a short amount of time!
A U G U S T . . .
... involved more travel. I saw Becky and Catherine in Mystic, CT and then got to see Great Big Sea again in Freeport, Maine - home of LLBean! (and Kate, but she was away!)
S E P T E M B E R . . .
... was crazy-busy in terms of starting the new school year. I spent much of it stressing out and trying to get on track! Matt showed his automobile prowess in changing the brakes on my car. You're so handy!
O C T O B E R . . .
... included some fall-harvesty-Halloween type adventures. I got to wear one of the most comfortable Halloween costumes to work - Scrubs and sneakers!
N O V E M B E R . . .
... brought me back to school - High School, that is! It was our 10 year reunion, and what a trip it was. Strange but good to see people after 10 years.
D E C E M B E R . . .
... helped the year to a close in a busy way! Daytrips to Sandy Hook and New York City, Holiday concert craziness, Christmas celebrations, fun with friends and abundant good times. A wonderful way to end the year, If I say so myself!
I wish you all of you much joy, happiness, wonderful memories, laughter and peace in the New Year. Thank you, my friends, for putting up with my ranting and raving and reports of the goings-on in my little part of the world.
First, a disclamer. This is written during Holiday Concert Craziness. Thank you.
How am I expected to turn the world on its head by Friday? I have a budget (which I got today) that I need to return on Friday. And plans for this week and next week, also due Friday. And another budget will be handed to me tomorrow, to be returned probably on Friday as well. And a jam-packed chaotic day of work tomorrow, followed by a dinner which I must attend. And preparation for two concerts back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday. And a program to finish.
Do I look like I can leap tall buildings in a single bound?
And to top it off, yesterday I had thousands of dollars worth of drug injected into my arm which could still put me into anaphylaxis within the next 24 hours, so I'm carrying an EpiPen. (Although the fact that I didn't react during the 2 hours I spent in the Dr's office is a good indicator that I'll be fine.) The drug will hopefully be a blessing, though - but they do their best to scare the poop out of you before they inject you, just so you're aware. Then they teach you how to stab yourself with the EpiPen just in case you do react. Woo.
And I'm stress eating. Oh, the carb and chocolate cravings.
I need to know if others feel the same way I do about this.
Whenever I happen to be in the mall, I find myself accosted by multiple kiosk salesmen (usually), trying to get me to stop and try/buy different products off of their carts - hand lotion, heat packs, jewelery cleaners, head massagers, straightening irons, and the like. And usually the scenario goes something like this:
Me: walking along, window shopping, people watching, talking to whomever I'm with, etc. Guy: Jumping in front of me or hurrying to my side, speaking in an insistent loud voice, "Excuse me, miss? Can I ask you a question?" Me: "No, thank you," I reply, politely, without stopping. Guy: Continues with his spiel without missing a beat, still with a very loud voice, more actively trying to get me to stop (example)- "Do you keep your nails natural? Let me see your hands..." as he gestures for me to hold out my hands, getting as close as he can without touching me. Me:"No, thank you," I respond, a little more insistently, as I speed up and walk away.
At this point, most will back off and just tell you to have a nice day. I'm fine with that. Although I may not like them jumping on me at the mall (which is how most of them behave, men and women kiosk salespeople alike), I had one the other day who really took the cake. The conversation started out as I mentioned above, but instead of quitting with the second attempt, he said to me, sarcastically, "Oh, don't be so hard."
I didn't realize what he'd said until I got too far away to turn back around.
Don't be so hard????
Excuse me??? I politely said, "No Thank You," and that's your response? If I had realized it sooner, I would have stopped and said something to him. I know that he's trying to do his job and earn a living for himself. But it's not acceptable to say something like that to a stranger and potential customer, and expect them to respond in any way other than with negativity, even if you didn't mean it literally.
Is this just a local thing? Or is it just a kiosk salesperson tactic?
I don't like pushy salespeople, but after working in retail, I know how to politely deal with the situation. But this just took the cake. As I said before, I appreciate the fact that they are trying to earn a living... they just need to learn to read people! It's pretty obvious when someone is uninterested. There are body cues that let you know when people are open to being approached and when they want to just be left alone. A good salesperson is trained and knows how to recognize this. I make it pretty obvious. I avoid eye contact with them. If I am with someone else, I engage them in conversation before we walk by the kiosks. I concentrate on a window display.
Maybe I should just run screaming in the other direction the next time a kiosk salesperson approaches me. Do you think it would give them the hint?
